Murder/suicide pact fails in VBT, 1 dead

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Van Buren Township Police found a wife dead and her husband alive at about 4 a.m. Tuesday in what police believe to be a murder/suicide pact that failed.
Police Lt. Kenneth Floro said a concerned family friend called police to report the suspect was suicidal in words he was saying and texting. Police went to the home to check it out.
When the man answered the door in the 6300 block of Greenwood Court, he was distraught, had some blood on him, and was wearing clothes that were inappropriate. Police secured the man and then found his wife deceased.
Lt. Floro said murder/suicide seemed to be the plan, but the suicide never happened. Cause of death would be determined by the autopsy scheduled for Wednesday morning.
The husband, who may not have an arrest warrant signed until Thursday, was in custody at the VBT lockup under 24-hour supervision, Floro said.
Neighbors said detectives went door to door on Greenwood asking those who lived nearby about the couple. One neighbor said two children, around 10 years of age, lived in the home, but were not seen Tuesday morning.
According to the VBT Property and Land Search website, the home at 6352 Greenwood Court is owned by Richard and Travisteene Jackson.